Self-Incrimination

Definition - What does Self-Incrimination mean?

Self-incrimination is saying or doing something that legally implicates oneself in a crime. Self-incrimination would legally be enough to convict a person of a crime.

Justipedia explains Self-Incrimination

The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution allows a person to not say anything that may incriminate themselves. Many people will choose to "take [or plead] the Fifth" in a court case that would otherwise see them saying something that would convict them for the crime.